April 9, 2012

A tipster who goes by the alias Peter Williams e-mails Carrie Levine of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics and Annette Gillis, deputy staff director for the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He claims Menendez flew to the Dominican Republican with a Florida eye doctor, Salomon Melgen, a major Democratic donor, where they participated in "pleasure vacations" with "young prostitutes."

July 17

After trying unsuccessfully for three months to reach Williams by phone and e-mailing one of the young women, Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, informs the FBI, and Justice Department of the allegations.

Aug. 1

An FBI agent allegedly reaches out to Williams, according to the purported e-mails, and tries to persuade him to meet or talk on the phone. The two continue to correspond throughout the year.

MORE ROBERT MENENDEZ COVERAGE

Nov. 1

Days before the Nov. 6 election, the conservative website The Daily Caller publishes an article based on the interview with two Dominican women who said they are prostitutes and claimed Menendez paid them for sex at a luxury resort. A Menendez spokeswoman says, "We’re not going to respond to a completely false accusation."

Nov. 6

Menendez is re-elected to a second full term, defeating state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) 58 percent to 40 percent.

Jan. 26, 2013

— A day after The Star-Ledger e-mailed Williams asking him to speak on the phone, he writes that ‘this investigation went public prematurely and without my consent." He provides what purports to be a Jan. 22 email from an FBI agent offering to fly him to Florida for a meeting. "I think we need to deal with this situation as soon as possible."